ICC approves early finish to Tests

The ICC's Chief Executives' Committee has approved the recommendation that a Test match be called off on the final afternoon if there is no chance of a result. The new regulation, which will come into effect immediately, allows the game to be called off once a minimum of 75 overs have been completed in the day's play.

This effectively means that the captains can forego the last hour of play, instead of the 30 minutes the old regulation allowed.

Percy Sonn, the new ICC president, unveiled the second edition of the Strategic Plan at the annual conference at Lord's. The Plan will run for five years, ending 2010, and will chart the ICC's priorities and areas of functioning.

"It has been put together following an extensive consultation process between an ICC project team, our members and stakeholders", Sonn said. "It is the organisation's roadmap for the next five years - years that should be great for cricket."

The CEC also adopted the ICC Gender Recognition Policy, enabling cricketers who have undergone gender reassignment surgery to play women's cricket at international level provided they meet the required criteria. This policy is being followed by other leading sporting organisations.